Defence-Tech Startup Zebu Secures $1M in Pre-Series A Funding
Zebu, a Hyderabad-based defence-tech startup pioneering advanced counter-drone and unmanned systems, has raised $1 million in a pre-series A funding round led by Bluehill VC. The funds will be used to accelerate the development of four mission-critical drones from prototype to deployment stage for the Indian armed forces.
The startup has developed four key products for the Indian military: the Hostile Drone Neutralizing IAF Net Drone, Sea Surface Combat and Rescue Indian Coast Guard Drone, Swarm Enabled Offensive IAF Combat Drone, and Tethered Surveillance Drone for Army border patrol. With this funding, Zebu plans to fast-track advanced field testing and achieve production readiness, positioning itself as a key supplier to the Indian armed forces.
Zebu is already preparing for its next funding round of $5 million, which will be used for further integration into the armed forces and international market expansion. Sridhar Parthasarathi, General Partner at Bluehill VC, noted that the global counter-drone market is expected to reach $11 billion by 2030, and Zebu is well-positioned to capture this market with its advanced technology.
Founded in 2021 by Santosh Balajee Banisetty, Zebu has made significant breakthroughs in developing combat-ready unmanned systems. The company’s IAF Net Capture Drone has progressed from a prototype to achieving military-grade certification in just six months. Zebu is also developing an Anti-Drone Swarm System for the Air Force, scheduled to be operational by late 2025.
The company’s Tethered Surveillance Drone, designed for the Army’s border monitoring, is set for mass deployment by mid-2025. Santosh Balajee, Founder and CEO of Zebu, emphasized that the future of warfare is AI-led and unmanned, and Zebu is working to make this technology indigenously available.
With seven patents filed and two trademarks secured, Zebu is emerging as a trusted DefTech supplier. The company has already achieved its first commercial success with a custom high-performance battery pack for nano drones. Zebu plans to manufacture most components in-house to ensure complete control over the supply chain.
The company’s all-Indian Ground Control Station (GCS) is currently undergoing testing with the Indian Coast Guard. This next-generation “mission brain” allows commanders to control entire drone fleets from a single interface, potentially replacing costly foreign alternatives. Zebu is also indigenizing critical components like Electronic Speed Controllers and military-grade stabilized camera gimbals.
Beyond government contracts, Zebu is expanding into commercial markets by adapting its military-grade technology for enterprise use. The company’s focus on building a robust intellectual property portfolio positions it to meet both national security standards and global commercial demands.
